Toy block set



L. G. KELLEY June 14, 1960 TOY BLOCK SET Filed April 30, 1957 ,Z/ONEL@0265 BELLE};

I N VEN TOR.

r 47'70PUE Q ToY BLOCK SET Lionel George Kelley, 4316 Maury Ave LongBeach, Calif.

Filed Apr. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 656,107

13 Claims. (Cl. 4617) This invention relates to a unique set of toyblocks and other building elements to be used by children in buildingdifferent types of toy structures.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel set ofbuilding elements which allow very great versatility in the formation ofnumerous different structures, and yet which require only a fewdifierent types of basic elements. These basic parts can be very easilyarranged to form structures resembling buildings of different types, aswell as railroad cars and other wheeled moving assemblies, and the like.In actual use, these toys have proven extremely fascinating andentertaining to children.

structurally, a set of parts embodying the invention may include a firstgroup of blocks each having grooves formed in two of its oppositesurfaces, and a second group of blocks having edge portions adapted tobe received in different ones of the grooves in a manner allowing thedesired versatility of building arrangements. The grooves at one side ofthe first blocks may include two essentially parallel grooves which inone arrangement (with the two grooves facing down) can receive axles ofa pair of wheel units, to movably mount one of the first blocks in themanner of a railroad car or the like. The other side of the first blockpreferably has a groove extending essentially parallel to the two firstmentioned grooves, with another groove extending at an angle thereto(desirably perpendicularly), with the result that blocks of the secondtype can be fitted in and supported by these mutually perpendiculargrooves, in standing positions capable of supporting additional blocksof both types in numerous different overall structures. Preferably, thefirst mentioned sides of the first blocks contain additional groovesextending perpendicular to the wheel mounting grooves, and for bestresults the lengths of the various grooves on both sides have certainlater-to-be-discussed dimensional relationships to the dimensions of thecoacting second type of block, to allow for maximum versatility ofarrangement. Also, there may be provided certain other types of blockswhich are shaped in unique manners to interfit effectively with andsupplement the above discussed blocks. i

The above and other features and objects of the present invention willbe better understood from the following detailed description of thetypical embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a number of blocks and wheel units constructed inaccordance with the invention and assembled in one possible arrangement,to form a structure resembling a three car railroad train; p

Fig. 2 is an enlarged exploded representation of certain of the blocksand wheel units shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the large main blocks shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a view showing the underside of one of the top blocks in theFig. 1 arrangement;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view representing fragmentarily anotherarrangement of the blocks; and

feed States Patent ii Fig. 6 shows still another arrangement of thevarious blocks.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a set of blocks (and wheel units) constructedin accordance with the invention includes a number of main relativelylarge blocks 10, a

the blocks 12, 10 wheel assemblies 13, and 5 of the blocks 14. Thesevarious parts are of course to be sold together as a set in a suitablebox or other container.

To describe first the relatively simple square blocks 11, each of theseblocks may be defined as having two square opposite side surfaces 15,which are spaced apart a distance X (see Fig. 2) and are desirablyplanar and parallel. Each block 15 is of uniform square cross sectionthrough its entire thickness X, to thus present four edge surfaces 16extending perpendicular to surfaces 15 and defining together a square.The length of each of the edge surfaces 16 of block 11 is preferably atleastseveral times as great as the thickness dimension X of the block.

The blocks 10 are desirably of rectangular configuration, having twoplanar parallel spaced rectangular opposite surfaces 17 and 18, whoseplanar configuration may be interrupted only at the locations of anumber of grooves 19, 2t), 21, 22, 23 and 24. Each block 10' also has apair of parallel transverse planar opposite end walls 25, and a pair ofparallel longitudinally extending planar opposite side walls 26. Walls25 and 26 desirably are rectangular and extend perpendicular to eachother and to surfaces 17 and 18.

All of the variousv grooves 19 through 24 which are formed in surfaces17 and 18 of blocks 10 should be of the same width Y (see Fig. 2), whichwidth is slightly greater than the thickness dimension X of blocks 11,to

allow any of the four edge portions of one of the blocks 11 to fitsnugly within any of the various grooves 19 through 24. The grooves 19through 24 may be of'rectangular cross section, uniform throughout thelength of each groove, to provide inner walls 27 within the groovesextending parallel to surfaces 17 and 18 for engaging,v

and positioning edge surfaces 16 of blocks 11. The two grooves 19 and 20are formed in surface 18, and extend essentially and preferably exactlyparallel to each other and directly transversely of the longitudinalaxis 28 of block 10. The two grooves 21 and 22 are also formed insurface 18 of blook 10, but extend essentially and; perpendicular to andintersecting grooves 19 and 20.- Grooves 21 and 22 are spaced apart, andare spaced equal distances from, but at opposite sides of, thetransversely central point 29 of block 10.

The groove 23 is formed in surface 17 of block 10, and desirably extendsdirectly transversely of the longitudinal axis 28 of the block andtherefore parallel to and therefore perpendicular to groove23.

longitudinal directions therefrom.

Each of the wheel units 13 includes an "elongated cylindrical shaft oraxle 30, rigidly carrying apart of wheels 31 at opposite ends of theshaft. The shaft 30 is of a diameter approximately equal to butslightly. the various grooves 19. through 24, so that shaft30 may bereceived and rotatablyi smaller than the width Y of journaled withineither of the grooves 19 or '20 or" perhaps groove 23. Also, the shaft3% is long smith-ghee. that when it is received within one of thegrooves 19,

29 or 23, the wheels 31 are received at opposite sides of block 10, andare free to turn with shaft 3% while engaging a supporting surface tomovably mount the associated block 10 as a mock. vehicle. Two such wheelunits 13 received within the two grooves 19 and 20 of a block 10 willmount that block 16 in a horizontally extending position.

Each of the blocks 1-0 may be provided at the transverse center of oneof. its end-surfaces 25 with a metal hook element 32, and at thetransverse center of the opposite end wall 25 with a metal eye element33,50

that the hook 32 of one block may be connected into i the eye 33 .ofanother block when the two blocks aretin longitudinal alignment, to forman interconnected series of cars. To allow interconnection of elements32 and "33, one of these, typicall-yhook 32, may lie in a planeessentiaily parallel to surfaces 26, while the .other element (eye 33)liesin a perpendicular plane which is parallel to surfaces 17 and 18. aThe blocks 12 maybe defined as having a pair of mu- 't uilly parallelplanar opposite side surfaces34- spaced in I correspondence with thespacing of surfaces 26 of block 10,2and also haviug a second pair ofspacedpa-raljlel ilanar side surfaces 35 similarly spaced incorrespondence with surfaces 26. Surfaces 34 .of course extend perpendic-ular to surfaces .35, and all of these surfaces extend perpendicularto a pair of square oppositely directed surfaces 35 which are paralleland may be spaced in correspondence with surfaces 17 and 18 of block 10.One of the surfaces 36 contains a pair of preferably mutuallyperpendicular.intersecting grooves 37 and 38 extending parallel tosurfaces 34 and 35 respectively. The other surface 36 contains twoparallel spaced grooves 39 extending parallel to groove 37 and thereforeto surfaces 34. Each of the grooves 37 through 39 has thesame crosssection ;as grooves '19 through 24 of block 11), to snugly receive andhold any of the four edge portions of any of the square blocks 11.

Each of the blocks 14 (Fig. is relatively long (say abouttwice the widthdimension W of block in the direction of the longitudinal axis 49 ofblock 14. Trans- -versely of this longitudinal axis, block 14 may be ofrectangular configuration, havinga width XX corresponding to. the widthX .of block 11, and having a dimension 7 Z equalling twice the depth Aofeach of the grooves'19, 20,21, 22, '23, 24, 37, 38 and 39.

tionship to the length B of each of the edges 16 of blocks 11. In thefirst place, the width dimension W of block 10, and therefore thelengths of surfaces 34 and 35 of block 12 should be approximately thesame as dimension B on blocks 11 (W typically being slightly greaterthan B); Also, the distances from each end surface 2510' groove shouldbe approximately equal to distance B, so that the overall lengthdimension L of block '10 is approximately twice as great as its width W.In addition, the spacing between grooves 19 and 20, of block 10, shouldbe approximately equal to dimension B; and thespacjingbetween the groove'19 of one block '10 and the groove 20 of the other blocl 11 when thesetwo blocks'a're interconnected by their hook and eye elements 32 and 33,is also approximately' equal to'the dimension Btseefig. 6,). As will beapparent, such dimensioning ofthe various grooves and blocks results inthe formaion of .a large number of different grooves or groove ,Por-

some lengths are approxi t y qual dim n- 4 ,sion .B, and arethereforeadapted to receive edges of blocks 11 with the blocks 11extending along approximately the entire length of each of these variousgrooves and groove portions, For instance, an edge of one of the blocks11 will extend along substantially the entire length of each of thegrooves 19, 2t 23, 37, 38 and 39, and also along substantially theentire length of the portions of grooves 21 and 22 which are receivedbetween grooves 19 and 20. i

To now describe the manner of use of the illustrated blocks and wheelunits, it is noted that a first arrangement may be made in a manner ofFig. l inwhich three interconnected train cars are formed. Each of thesecars includes one of the blocks 10 positioned over and movably mountedby a pair of the wheel units 13, with the shafts 39 of the wheel unitsreceived within downwardly facing grooves 19 and of blocks 10.Successive blocks 10 I of the different cars are detachablyinterconnected by interfitting engagement of their hook and eye elements32 and 33. At the upper side of each of the blocks 1-0, there may bepositioned a first one of the blocks 11 having its lower edge portionreceived within the transverse groove 23 of block 10, and with twoadditional blocks 11 being received within groove 24 forwardly andrearwardly of the transverse or first 'mentioned block 11. This forms avery rigid supporting structure on which an additional upper block 10may be mounted on each of the cars, by reception of the 'upperends ofthe three blocks 11 within grooves 23 and 24 of the upper block (whichupper block is inverted from the position of the lower block 10.). Toform a structure giving the appearance of the rear cab structure of theengine of the train, two additional blocks 11 may be positioned in theupwardly facing grooves '21 and 22 of the upper block Not the leadingcar, with one of the smaller blocks '12 being mounted on the top ofthese blocks l-lgby reception of the blocks '11 within grooves 39. Thisstructure is positioned at the rear of the'car to give the appearance ofan engine cab. In the case of the last car in the train, a similarstructure formed of two blocks 11 and. one block 12 may be utilized, butmay be positioned between the two transverse grooves 19 and 20 of theassociated block 10 to givethe appearance of the central upwardlyprojecting portion of a caboose. As will be apparent, the same typeof'structure may be built upwardly to higher levels to form morecomplicated arrangements of almost infinite variety. Also, the wheelunits 13 may be left off the structure, to form an arrangement givingthe appearance of a building or the like.

Referring now to .Fig. 5, the elongated box 14 may be utilized forlocking together infixed position one .of the blocks 10 andasuperimposed block 12, with block 14 having its upper and lower halvesreceived within two opposed grooves of the blocks 10 and 12 Also, theend of the block 14 may be allowed to project outwardly, to give theappearanceof a gun projecting from a turret.

' Fig. 6 shows an arrangement including two of the cars of Fig. 1, butwith an, upper structure including two blocks 11 received within grooves19 and 29 of two adjacent cars, so thatan upper block 12 may be mountedon these blocks 11 to extend between and jintercqnncct the two cars. Theupper edges of blocks 1'1'iI1Lthis9ase are received. within thedownwardly facing grooves" 19 and 20 of theupper block 15), whichgroovesare spaced substantially exactly in eorrespondence withthe grooveswithin Which'the lower edges o'f the twobloc'ks .11 are received, byvirtue of the positioning of-the grooves 19 and 20011 blocks ilo in theprecise manner previously discussed. 'I claim:

A y lock set including .a pair of blocks-of essentially rectangularconfiguration each having a .of oppositely facing essentiallyrectangular surfaces having length and width dimensions, eachof saidfirst block having two spaced essentially parallel grooves formed in oneof said surfaces and extending in the direction of said width dimension,each block having third and fourth grooves formed in the oppositesurface thereof and extending at an angle to one another, a pair ofwheel assemblies each including an axle removably received and confinedin one of said first two grooves of one of said first blocks with thosegrooves facing downwardly, each of said wheel assemblies also includinga pair of wheels carried at opposite ends of said axle and received atopposite sides of said one of the first blocks to movably mount it onsaid wheel assemblies, and a plurality of second blocks which are thinand lie in essentially vertical planes and have lower edges fittingclosely in said third and fourth grooves of said one first block, saidsecond blocks projecting upwardly from said one first block and havingupper edges projecting into and fitting closely within said third andfourth grooves of the other of said first blocks to thereby support itin upwardly spaced relation to said one first block.

2. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which said lengthdimensions of said rectangular surfaces are approximately twice as greatas said width dimensions, said first blocks having thickness dimensionsbetween said rectangular surfaces which are smaller than said length andwidth dimensions.

3. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which said third groove islocated esesntially between and disposed essentially parallel to saidfirst two grooves, said fourth groove extending essentiallyperpendicular to and essentially crossing said third groove andextending in the direction of said length dimension.

4. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which each of said secondblocks is essentially square and each of its four edges has a lengthcorresponding substantially to the width of said first blocks and to thespacing between said first two grooves.

5. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which said third and fourthgrooves extend substantially directly longitudinally and transverselyrespectively of said first blocks and are located at substantially thecenter of said width and length dimensions respectively, said first twogrooves being spaced from the opposite ends of the first blocksdistances equal to approximately one-fourth of the distance between saidtwo ends.

6. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which there are a pluralityof block assemblies each including a pair of said first blocks, a pairof said wheel assemblies and a plurality of said second blocksinterfitting as defined, and there being detachably interfittingconnectors on opposite ends of said first blocks adapted to connect aplurality of said block assemblies in end to end relation to pull onebehind the other with said Wheel assemblies movably mounting the blocks.

7. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which there are two spacedlongitudinal grooves formed in said one of said rectangular surfaces ofeach of said first blocks and of a width to receive and position edgesof said second blocks.

8. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, including an additional numberof said second blocks projecting upwardly from the upper side of saidother of the first blocks and having lower edges received in said firsttwo grooves thereof, and a third block shaped essentially the same assaid first blocks except that said length dimension is only aboutone-half the length of said first blocks, said third block having saidfour grooves formed therein and having upper edges of said additionalsecond blocks received in some of said grooves to support said thirdblock at a location spaced above said other of the first blocks.

9. A toy block set including a pair of first blocks of essentiallyrectangular configuration each having a pair 6 of oppositely facingessentially rectangular surfaces having length and width dimensions,said length dimensions being approximately twice as great as said widthdimensions, said first blocks having thickness dimensions between saidsurfaces which are smaller than said length and width dimensions, eachof said first blocks having two spaced essentially parallel groovesformed in one of said surfaces and extending in the direction of saidwidth dimension, each block having a third groove formed in the oppositesurface between the locations of and essentially parallel to said firsttwo grooves, each block having a fourth groove in said opposite surfaceextending essentially perpendicular to and essentially crossing saidthird groove and extending in the direction of said length dimension, apair of wheel assemblies each including an axle removably received andconfined in one of said first two grooves of one of said first blockswith those grooves facing downwardly, each of said wheel assemblies alsoincluding a pair of wheels carried at opposite ends of said axle andreceived at opposite sides of said one of the first blocks to movablymount it on said wheel assemblies, and a plurality of essentially squaresecond blocks which are thin and lie in essentially vertical planes andhave lower edges fitting closely in said third and fourth grooves ofsaid one first block, said second blocks projecting upwardly from saidone first block and having upper edges projecting into and fittingclosely within said third and fourth grooves of the other of said firstblocks to thereby support it in upwardly spaced relation to said onefirst block.

10. A toy block set as recited in claim 9, in which there are three ofsaid second blocks, one extending transversely of said first blocks andhaving its edges received in said third groove of each of said firstblocks, the other two of said second blocks extending longitudinally ofsaid first blocks and being received in said fourth groove at locationsin front of and behind the third groove respectively.

11. A toy block set as recited in claim 10, in which there are twospaced longitudinal grooves formed in said one of said rectangularsurfaces of each of said first blocks and of a width to receive andposition edges of said second blocks.

12. A toy block set as recited in claim 10, in which there are aplurality of block assemblies each including a pair of said firstblocks, a pair of said wheel assemblies, and three of said second blocksinterfitting as defined, and there being detachably interfittingconnectors on opposite ends of said first blocks adapted to connect aplurality of said block assemblies in end to end relation to pull onebehind the other with said Wheel assemblies movably mounting the blocks.

13. A toy block set as recited in claim 1, in which there are three ofsaid second blocks, one extending transversely of said first blocks andhaving its edges received in said third groove of each of said firstblocks, the other two of said second blocks extending longitudinally ofsaid first blocks and being received in said fourth groove at locationsin front of and behind the third groove respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,031,848 Ogden Feb. 25, 1936 2,545,155 Logan Mar. 13, 1951 2,661,573Onley Dec. 8, 1953 2,747,325 Kutscha May 29, 1956 2,770,915 Hicks Nov.20, 1956 2,800,743 Meehan et al. July 30, 1957 2,838,875 Hammond et alJune 17, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 438,944 Italy Ian. 5, 1945

